Cody Walker’s 2025 season has officially come to an end after South Sydney confirmed he will not return to the field this year due to a re-aggravated hamstring injury.
It’s the latest setback in what’s been a frustrating, injury-riddled campaign for the veteran playmaker, who struggled to build any momentum across sporadic appearances this season, featuring in just eight games.
His absence is yet another blow for a Rabbitohs side that has failed to fire in 2025, with their finals hopes already hanging by a thread as they languish in 16th place on the ladder heading into Round 20.
Wayne Bennett's return to the Rabbitohs gave the club and fans renewed hope of a bounce-back season after finishing the 2024 season second-last, but the results have been more of the same.
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Aside from Walker, the Rabbitohs have had to weather a season-ending injury to captain Cameron Murray, as well as consistent injuries throughout the year, including multi-game absences from stars Latrell Mitchell and Campbell Graham.
Adding insult to injury, the club’s recruitment has also been heavily questioned, with highly paid English half Lewis Dodd barely barely first grade and Josh Schuster not even stepping onto the field in 2025.
For Walker, however, there is much more at stake than some of the other high-profile Rabbitohs who have missed time — at 34 years of age and with ongoing hamstring issues plaguing him, there may be serious doubt over Walker’s playing future.
According to multiple reports last month, the Rabbitohs veteran had agreed to a one-year contract extension to keep him at the club until the end of 2026. However, no formal announcement has since been made, casting doubt on his playing future once again.
It also leaves South Sydney in an awkward position. Their once-stable spine has been dismantled this season, and with Walker unavailable and other key playmakers already moved on, there’s growing pressure to fast-track their next generation of halves.
For Walker, the bigger question now becomes: is there another chapter left in his NRL story, or is this the end of a long career at Redfern?
Whatever happens next, Walker has carved out a remarkable career — with his creativity, vision, and flair crucial to the success of the club, as is his passion for the jersey and their fans.
But right now, all signs point to a player — and a club — approaching a crossroads.